Kolkata/IBNS: Emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming ways to deliver and receive healthcare was the main topic of discussion at the MEDICON 2023 held recently in Kolkata.

The two-day clinical medicine conference was jointly organized by Peerless Hospital & B K Roy Foundation, Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh and West Bengal Chapter of Association of Physicians of India.

According to the experts present at the conference, most people now view healthcare as something encompassing their total wellbeing rather than just their physical health.

Hence, collaborations between different governments, industries, academia and tech giants are also on the rise, they said.

Recent changes in the understanding and practice of various aspects of acute medicine was also addressed at the conference.

Experts also expressed concerns that there is an increasing global trend to go for super specialization, ignoring the need to have a solid understanding of general internal medicine.

According to the experts, unless a physician is able to make a holistic assessment of any patient, there is always a possibility of missing the right track, resulting in delay in diagnosis and unnecessary expenditure.

President of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Prof. Andrew Elder, delivered two state of the art lectures.

The Prof Shyamal Sen Memorial Oration was delivered by oncologist Prof. Mammen Chandy from India.

Other sessions included Respiratory Rehabilitation (with practical demonstration) and its impact on society, and Doctor Nurse Communication Interface. 

The Roll signing ceremony of the new Fellows who have been selected this year to the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, from this part of the country, was also held.